America 250: Francis Scott Key

The show of the American emblem inspired the poem that aboriginal became the nationalist anthem.

Francis Scott Key (1779–1843) was an American lawyer champion known for penning the lyrics to the U.S. nationalist anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Deeply religious, helium erstwhile considered becoming an Episcopal clergyman earlier pursuing a vocation successful law. During the War of 1812, helium concisely served successful a Georgetown militia and was contiguous astatine the Battle of Bladensburg successful August 1814. After the British burned Washington, Key traveled to Baltimore to assistance negociate the merchandise of an American prisoner. While detained aboard a British ship, helium witnessed the overnight bombardment of Fort McHenry. The show of the American emblem inactive flying the adjacent greeting inspired the poem that aboriginal became the nationalist anthem.